La Belle Sauvage
"Too few things in our world are worth a seventeen year wait: The Book of Dust is one of them." — The Washington Post
Philip Pullman returns to the parallel world of his groundbreaking novel The Golden Compass to expand on the story of Lyra, "one of fantasy's most indelible characters." (The New York Times Magazine)
Malcolm Polstead is the kind of boy who notices everything but is not much noticed himself. And so perhaps it was inevitable that he would become a spy...
Malcolm's parents run an inn called the Trout, on the banks of the river Thames, and all of Oxford passes through its doors. Malcolm and his daemon, Asta, routinely overhear news and gossip, and the occasional scandal, but during a winter of unceasing rain, Malcolm catches wind of something new: intrigue.
He finds a secret message inquiring about a dangerous substance called Dust — and the spy it was intended for finds him.
When she asks Malcolm to keep his eyes open, he sees suspicious characters everywhere: the explorer Lord Asriel, clearly on the run; enforcement agents from the Magisterium; a gyptian named Coram with warnings just for Malcolm; and a beautiful woman with an evil monkey for a daemon. All are asking about the same thing: a girl — just a baby — named Lyra.
Lyra is the kind of person who draws people in like magnets. And Malcolm will brave any danger, and make shocking sacrifices, to bring her safely through the storm.
"The book is full of wonder.... Truly thrilling." — The New York Times
"People will love the first volume of Philip Pullman's new trilogy with the same helpless vehemence that stole over them when The Golden Compass came out." — Slate
Readers also enjoyed
Philip Pullman
Philip Pullman is a writer whose imagination knows no bounds, a master of crafting worlds both fantastical and deeply thought-provoking. Known best for His Dark Materials, a trilogy that blends epic fantasy with philosophical musings, Pullman has captivated readers of all ages with stories that challenge the very nature of belief, freedom, and the human spirit.
Born in Norwich, England, in 1946, Pullman’s early life was shaped by both his experiences and his interests—particularly a fascination with literature and history. His love of storytelling began at a young age, influenced by the books he read and the characters he encountered, but it wasn’t until later that he fully embraced writing as a career. After studying at the University of Oxford, Pullman worked as a teacher and a writer, initially focusing on children's books that contained subtle nods to history, science, and philosophy.
The Book of Dust
The Book of Dust is a captivating extension of the world introduced in His Dark Materials, but with a fresh lens that explores the past and future of a universe already rich in mystery and wonder. This series takes readers deep into the origins of Dust, the mysterious force that has shaped the fates of many, while also focusing on the journey of new and familiar characters as they grapple with questions of fate, power, and identity.
The Book of Dust consists of three books and considered as a complete series. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Main series His Dark Materials Universe
